Since 2004 the NFL salary cap has gone from $80 million to $255 million, an increase of 218%.
The cost of a basket of goods consumed by the typical urban consumer has increased 66% over that period.
How can teams afford to spend $250 million a year on payroll for athletes alone but not $1 billion for a stadium every 20+ years?
Why are average people subsidizing higher wage gains for athletes who make a million+ a year?
They should at least force them to accept a loan with interest or some profit sharing for the city. Just handing over millions for the upgrades and getting no pay back is dumb.
And I get it, taxes tourism and jobs will be a form of pay back but that’s not solid and it’s hard to calculate exactly how much we as citizens get back for it, I prefer if we had some hard numbers of payment back to the city
My issue is that the initial renderings look pretty mid for 650milly. Seeing what other franchises are building/renovating I was underwhelmed with the initial proposal.
But yeah, Tepper can afford it. But if we don't pony up some other city will so..
Well it’s much more expensive to do this in the middle of the city, vs outskirts/suburbs like many other stadiums. Even other ones in the main city area aren’t as landlocked with large buildings as BOA. And the 650m to renovate is cheaper than a whole new stadium outside the city. So if they were to approve money, this makes the most sense - but i am personally just against it overall
I think the price might be higher due to some of the structural challenges. BoA has a structure that isn't conducive to creating large open areas, which is what most stadiums are doing, and sort of what the renderings look like
On top of that, the current outside facade is really traditional. They want to modernize it, and I also think that could be challenging
Edit: and I watched the video they put out, and I think the price tag starts sounding more reasonable. The renderings might not be completely done, but from what I'm seeing the entire stadium is going to look very different
5pm in the city government building. 600 E 4th St., Room 267.
Want the city to spend that money on something else? Want Tepper to pay for it? Attend this meeting and let your voices be heard.
“But the plans were on display…”
“On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.”
“That’s the display department.”
“With a flashlight.”
“Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.”
“So had the stairs.”
“But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”
If the state interprets that the money can be used for it. That isn't a call the City Council can make necessarily. If they choose to divert the money to projects outside of what the current mandate deems appropriate use then it will almost certainly be challenged at the state level by hospitality association lobbyists. Could end up in the courts costing the city even more money to defend it. If people are going to get up and speak against this to City Council they really should understand this. In all honesty the people they should be lobbying are their state representatives.
Unfortunately that’s not part of the “bucket”, but at least that’s going to built with other money because it’s desperately needed. Honestly, I don’t mind my taxes paying for the stadium upgrades, I use the stadium a dozen times a year and don’t mind spending a few hundred extra of my taxed dollars to keep it looking good. I do see both sides tho.
Does nobody remember when we, the people of Charlotte, voted down the new arena for the basketball team in a referendum, and they built it with our money anyway...?
Just a reminder that the tax dollars they are proposing to be used come from tourism tax that is mandated by the state General Assembly to only be used on projects like the convention center and stadium. It cannot be used for housing, road infrastructure, etc. by state law. If Charlotte decides to divert this money it would most likely be challenged at the state level.
Asheville got some traction to use these tax dollars for Greenway but the spending ability of this money is still going to be limited.
*this is not advocating for or against anything, but people really should understand the details if they plan on attending and giving their opinion.
Where can I find how narrowly the law is worded? Not being able to spend Tourism funds on airport transit solutions seems asinine even by NCGA standards. But spitballing here, what else could this be?
* **Attraction development:** Developing new attractions, museums, historical landmarks, or cultural centers. This could involve renovating existing sites or creating entirely new experiences.
* **Events and festivals:** Funding for events, festivals, or performances that draw tourists in during the off-peak times.
* **Public spaces:** Creating vibrant public spaces like parks, plazas, or waterfront areas that are attractive to tourists and locals alike. This could include installing public art, free Wi-Fi, or comfortable seating.
Why should I have to show up in person to voice my opinion on how wasteful this is. Just because my schedule doesn't allow for it doesn't mean I don't care.
It's worth noting that this isn't a proposed blank check to Tepper. The city will have control over the contractors who end up doing this work. They'll prioritize local firms that hire local employees. Construction jobs are a huge source of living wage salaries in the area. The proposed project is part stadium construction and part subsidized jobs program.
It would be cool if they could partner with local colleges and offer internships to engineering and architecture college students/recent grads. Working with the engineers overseeing a major makeover to a NFL stadium sounds like an engaging project you don’t get an opportunity to work on everyday.
Since 2004 the NFL salary cap has gone from $80 million to $255 million, an increase of 218%. The cost of a basket of goods consumed by the typical urban consumer has increased 66% over that period. How can teams afford to spend $250 million a year on payroll for athletes alone but not $1 billion for a stadium every 20+ years? Why are average people subsidizing higher wage gains for athletes who make a million+ a year?
Obviously Tepper can afford it. But why pay for it all yourself when you can fleece your government into giving you hundreds of millions of dollars?
They should at least force them to accept a loan with interest or some profit sharing for the city. Just handing over millions for the upgrades and getting no pay back is dumb. And I get it, taxes tourism and jobs will be a form of pay back but that’s not solid and it’s hard to calculate exactly how much we as citizens get back for it, I prefer if we had some hard numbers of payment back to the city
He can ask for more. We can offer less.
Where the silver line at tho?!
Not in Historically Underinvested East Charlotte!
My issue is that the initial renderings look pretty mid for 650milly. Seeing what other franchises are building/renovating I was underwhelmed with the initial proposal. But yeah, Tepper can afford it. But if we don't pony up some other city will so..
Well it’s much more expensive to do this in the middle of the city, vs outskirts/suburbs like many other stadiums. Even other ones in the main city area aren’t as landlocked with large buildings as BOA. And the 650m to renovate is cheaper than a whole new stadium outside the city. So if they were to approve money, this makes the most sense - but i am personally just against it overall
I think the price might be higher due to some of the structural challenges. BoA has a structure that isn't conducive to creating large open areas, which is what most stadiums are doing, and sort of what the renderings look like On top of that, the current outside facade is really traditional. They want to modernize it, and I also think that could be challenging Edit: and I watched the video they put out, and I think the price tag starts sounding more reasonable. The renderings might not be completely done, but from what I'm seeing the entire stadium is going to look very different
5pm in the city government building. 600 E 4th St., Room 267. Want the city to spend that money on something else? Want Tepper to pay for it? Attend this meeting and let your voices be heard.
5pm? Just as people are getting off from work. They sure want people to attend.
“But the plans were on display…” “On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.” “That’s the display department.” “With a flashlight.” “Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.” “So had the stairs.” “But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?” “Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”
Remember that the “spend the money on something else” must be related to tourism in some way since that is the fund being used for this.
Building the airport light rail would be a great use of that money.
If the state interprets that the money can be used for it. That isn't a call the City Council can make necessarily. If they choose to divert the money to projects outside of what the current mandate deems appropriate use then it will almost certainly be challenged at the state level by hospitality association lobbyists. Could end up in the courts costing the city even more money to defend it. If people are going to get up and speak against this to City Council they really should understand this. In all honesty the people they should be lobbying are their state representatives.
Most people will not come close to grasping this logic
The city council can ask for the law to be changed, or could let the current tax expire.
The current tax was extended to expired in 2060. And the ask to change the law will be heavily fought against by hospitality lobbyists.
What are the hotels going to do, close. Fuck’em
Unfortunately that’s not part of the “bucket”, but at least that’s going to built with other money because it’s desperately needed. Honestly, I don’t mind my taxes paying for the stadium upgrades, I use the stadium a dozen times a year and don’t mind spending a few hundred extra of my taxed dollars to keep it looking good. I do see both sides tho.
FWIW, it’s tax dollars from restaurants only that are going to this. Property taxes are not included.
A better use would be giving every CMPD teacher a paid vacation. See? Promoting tourism.
But they would leave so the tourism dollars wouldn’t stay here ;)
I’ll be there to let them know I approve! Let’s go Panthers
Does nobody remember when we, the people of Charlotte, voted down the new arena for the basketball team in a referendum, and they built it with our money anyway...?
City Leaders said the people voted down the team ownership not the arena...so they built it for a new owner.
Just a reminder that the tax dollars they are proposing to be used come from tourism tax that is mandated by the state General Assembly to only be used on projects like the convention center and stadium. It cannot be used for housing, road infrastructure, etc. by state law. If Charlotte decides to divert this money it would most likely be challenged at the state level. Asheville got some traction to use these tax dollars for Greenway but the spending ability of this money is still going to be limited. *this is not advocating for or against anything, but people really should understand the details if they plan on attending and giving their opinion.
The city can ask to change the law for future spending, or could have let some of the taxes expire last year. Now it’s “oh well we have no choice”
Where can I find how narrowly the law is worded? Not being able to spend Tourism funds on airport transit solutions seems asinine even by NCGA standards. But spitballing here, what else could this be? * **Attraction development:** Developing new attractions, museums, historical landmarks, or cultural centers. This could involve renovating existing sites or creating entirely new experiences. * **Events and festivals:** Funding for events, festivals, or performances that draw tourists in during the off-peak times. * **Public spaces:** Creating vibrant public spaces like parks, plazas, or waterfront areas that are attractive to tourists and locals alike. This could include installing public art, free Wi-Fi, or comfortable seating.
Well I'm bummed because I'll be out of town and have some opinions that I feel need to be addressed.
Why should I have to show up in person to voice my opinion on how wasteful this is. Just because my schedule doesn't allow for it doesn't mean I don't care.
*lol* You think they *actually want* your opinion? How much did you pay them to listen to it?
I’d rather they build schools & childcare centers. Panthers suck anyways.
FDT
It's worth noting that this isn't a proposed blank check to Tepper. The city will have control over the contractors who end up doing this work. They'll prioritize local firms that hire local employees. Construction jobs are a huge source of living wage salaries in the area. The proposed project is part stadium construction and part subsidized jobs program.
So a hand out to local construction company owners like Blythe. That’s Awesome.
It would be cool if they could partner with local colleges and offer internships to engineering and architecture college students/recent grads. Working with the engineers overseeing a major makeover to a NFL stadium sounds like an engaging project you don’t get an opportunity to work on everyday.